Mixed Wheel Size! | Best Of Both Worlds?
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- So, it's 2022 and we are still talking about Mountain Bike wheel sizes!? well yeah, we are but there's good reason to because now there are 3 main choices you can make: 27.5", 29" or both! Mixed wheel sizes have changed the game for a lot of riders, but does it live up to the hype and is it the right choice for you?
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What's your current wheel setup? Let us know your favourite wheel size choice down below! 👇
Front and rear.
29 inch front and back 😃😃😃
Mixed… 29/27.5
26in still going strong
Mullet. 27.5 rear 29 front. To be honest it’s all I’ve ever had. I’d like to try other things
Motorcycles have been running large front, smaller rear wheels on dirt oriented stuff for decades already. Glad to see MTB'ing is finally giving it a shot.
Actually, mullet mtbs have been around for a while. It is now they're getting more popular and more discussed in the community
Dirtbikes have a good bit more power. Lolol
@@Bob_Shy_132 You don't say?! Here I thought MTB's were faster.... smh
@@PeanutButterPavement As usual, the MTB crowd doesn't get it.
@@Bob_Shy_132 Too many endo's and concussions.
I think I will stick to 29 front and rear but then I am tall and not an aggressive rider.
Hey David! 29 inch wheels seem like a great option for you. Faster is better anyway! 😉
I'm 5 ' 10" , not the best rider and found my 29'er difficult in tight turns, changing to a mullet helped me immensely and I wouldn't go back. I think mullets make a bigger difference to less skilled riders like myself.
Agreed. 27.5 in the back helps a lot in turning. 29 in the front sacrifices agility, but helps in overcoming bumps.
I made my 2018 Remedy 9,7 mullet one year ago. Originally she was full 27,5. Best decission ever. Better head angle, higher bottom bracket, a little shorter reach but, at the end of the day, much more stable when riding roots or rock gardens, same agility cornering and even more fun than before. And 27,5” wheel keep your butt far away from rubbing the tire when going really steep. The cons? One new Lyrik fork and a new 29” DT Swiss EX 511, but man, it’s just money! 😜. Try a mullet and forget 29 ers.
you don't need two tubes. Just run tubeless and carry 29 inch spare, can be used for 27.5 in a pinch
You can squeeze a 27.5 into a 29 also lol
I only run tubed and you can get a 27.5 to work on a 29 also. I love my mullet bike.
Ive built a couple 26/27.5 mullets and just built a 27.5/29 mullet, trying it for the first time today!
We are thinking alike today, I'm doing the same thing today
@7trails i’m actually getting ready to release a video on the shed MTB about where we take a 27.5 bike and without the rider knowing whether it’s a mullet or not we go back-and-forth between 26 and 27.5 wheels let me just say I built a bunch of them, but none of them are full suspension. They’re all hard tails, but they work awesome. The two full suspension bikes I built were 29x27.5 bikes. I also did a video discussing mullet geometry on the same channel so if you’re interested in, it might be worth watching for you!
I like Mullets, I have the Specialized Status and Orange Crush MX. Both factory Mullet bikes, imo they're decent all around. Great for people that prefer 27.5 to ease into 29er. I'm still a 27.5 guy but like to try out a lot of things
Your comment in the past, dont remember when, but you said you didnt like home made mullets. That comment i still think about when building my bikes, looking at geometry more closly and in different ways
Love my status
Mullet setups really aren't new. I remember back in the late 90s early 2000s when DH riders would regularly run a 24 rear and a 26 front. Increased rake helped the front suspension absorb more impact, and the choppy feel seemed to help with maneuverability in the tight switchbacks. It really doesn't surprise me that these mixed wheel size bikes are making a comeback.
Recently picked up a 2021 Giant Reign 29er though and it is, without a shadow of doubt, the full 29er people should be looking at for that mullet feeling. Tight and lively rear on a full 29er is magic.
Started on a Bulls copperhead mullet and still riding mullets today. This year I fell in love with my new Canyon Torque CF FW.
27.5 gang! 🤘
Went from 26 to 27.5 to 29 and back to 27.5
Now i miss the 29 up front so mullet will probably be my next setup
There are benefits to all, and as a very tall rider I'd generally chose to just stick with a full 29er, but if the industry ever decided to completely standardise an MTB (Ha!) I do think mullet would be the way to go, because the benefits of a 29 front are undeniable for pretty much all riders and disciplines (except DJ, which would probably stay full 26 anyway), while the 27.5 rear is significantly better for shorter riders without noticably disadvantaging tall riders.
Sorry, but what's DJ? Thanks in advance!
@@yengsabio5315 Dirt Jumping. It's basically a cross between MTB and BMX.
@@gpearce11 Thank you for responding, Geoffrey!
26 front and rear
Old school, but still great!
Have the Canyon Sender 27,5 and the YT Decoy mullet. Love the mullet setup and just ordered the Torque cf8 mullet.
26r the bomb!
Love mullet set ups
Just ordered a 29er suspension fork for my 27.5 hardtail. I ride a lot of chunky trails and I'm looking for that better rollover. Plus, I think the slight change in geometry will actually be more to my liking. 🤞
What bike
Isn’t that the mullet linkage keeps the bb hight at the same level as a full 29?
And if the bike isn’t mullet ready but you still put a 27,5 wheel on but you keep the flip chip in the high setting, does this fix the bb and the geo problems?
Nice vid and nice ride!
Great discussion Neil. And such a hard thing to try and evaluate. Were the differences in the times due to the wheel size or all the other variables at play?? A bike is very much an example of the whole being greater than the sum if it’s parts. Wheel size is only one factor, albeit an important one.
And there are so many other variables when comparing also - trail type (steep, tech, tight, open, flow, jumps, drops, berms, XC, whatever), trail conditions (wet, muddy, dry, rocky, rooty, loamy etc), tyre type, setup and condition, suspension and brakes, riding style/preferences, rider height, rider skill……
Personally, as a tall rider (192cm) I have preferred 29r wheels for the last decade on both hard tail and full suspension bikes. My trail bike is a 29r and it’s brilliant. Yet my ebike is a mullet, and I do find it is better for cornering in the techy tight corners on my local favourite trails….but is that due to the mullet or the characteristics of the heavier ebike?? Perhaps both.
The bb height determines some things, but the bb drop in relation to the axles is irrelevant.
26er late 90s extra small gt richochet with a 24 rear wheel but its slow compared to my scott aspect medium 29er fun or fast or both horses for corses i wouldnt put a 27.5 on my 29er but if i had a 27.5 bike i would be tempted to put a 29er up front and i know geometry changes can either mess it up or make it better bb hight etc there are so many factors to consider i would love to see you or blake try a 29"-26 or even 29/24 radical mullet
I’ve just started building a mullet hardtail 👌
Sounds like you're going to be having a lot of fun very soon!! 🤘
Have this exact bike. In size large and I'm 6ft.mullet is sick. Jumps so good, rides rocks and roots Like no tomorrow, twisty tight corners are easy as on it, being abkd to move my body side to side over the rear wheel is so good. Oddly the weirdest feeling thing is big bike park berms, I prefer non mixed wheels on that style of corner.
I've got a rock stock 2018 Giant Trance I'm thinking of fitting a 29" front setup and changing the transmission to the 12sp for good measure and see how it turns out. I think strength is in climbing as it's easier by leverage having a smaller circle. Thanks for posting. I in theory agree with your point of view.
yeah. The mullet is the future I think.
💯%
I think mullet is the muts nuts. Have a orange crush mx, and it feels so much more agile and more balanced. I'm not the worlds knarliest technical rider, but I say it works. Roll over a full on 29er is better yes, but for fun it's mullet time. Ps, I also love my hard tails.
Neil is such a good rider though!
And you're such a good carpenter!
Neil knows a thing or two about riding bikes! 😅
I'm doing a 29" on the front and a skate board wheel on the back
.......................................................................... I run an Assegai 29"x2.5" in front and a Minion DHR II 27.5"x2.4" in back. This was my first(and only) mullet setup. In the first month I often experienced the rear wheel getting hung up on technical terrain. Now in my second month those hang-ups are rare. I attribute the change partly to the notion that I might subconsciously be picking better lines, more suited to 27.5, but mostly to the fact that I am now well-adjusted and riding faster. Also in the first month I experienced the rear 27.5 to have noticeably less lateral traction. That was somewhat alarming at first, but now I'm not just used to it but think it has made me a better rider, dropping my fear of breaking loose on the rear. My other bikes are 29x29. It took over a month but the mullet is now my go-to for all around fun and surprisingly has even taken the crown spot in being the bike I choose to hit fresh trails, unfamiliar trails that I'm riding for the first time. I'm really really enjoying the mullet setup. Yes, flow trails and berms are extra fun, but so is everything else! The one change I will probably try when I need new tires is that I'm pretty sure I'll try wider in back on the 27.5, hopefully finding 2.6" width or whatever the widest my bike will allow back there.
Never tried mixed wheels. I'm 6'2 and went from a 26er straight to 29er. I might give it a try on my next bike.
yes to the physics. its Radius squared for gyscopic effects... so 26" are quite a bit more ternable than 27.5 or 29.. Mx & motorbikes have smaller wheels for road bikes due to this and the higher speeds. while off roads ahve these mixed wheel sizes.
How's the mullet climb compared to full 27.5 or 29 set up?
I'm wondering the same 🤷
Just look most off-road motorcycles, one will see a larger diameter tire up front and a wider smaller diameter out back. It is a proven concept and figures it is my preferred trail setup on my eMTB.
Great Video. As always!!!♥🤘
Thanks! 👊
I don't get how you stand lower in a 29er ?
A horizontal line through the axles and another through the bb, the gap between the two will be the same as its the wheels outer diameter that's different, so how you fit in the bike when stood with cranks horizontal is exactly the same on either wheel size, or is a 29er slightly different in its frame angles in order to keep the bb height the same on both wheel sized bikes?
I have both a ht and full bounce (pipedream moxie and full moxie) that can run any combination of wheels and the feel on the bike doesn't really change but the bb height and head angle alters slightly 🤷🏼♂️
Might honestly convert my girlfriend's bike to a mullet somewhere in the future, couldn't get a 27.5 that I liked for her, but she's really short, so the 29 rear wheel can get in the way if she tackles techy stuff in the future.
don't do it if the bike isn't designed for it - you will mess up geometry
If your girlfriend's bike geometry doesn't change dramatically, then go for it! Having a 27.5 on the rear will help with the manoeuvrability of the bike. This is great for shorter riders. 👍
Thanks, it's a hardtail, so the suspension won't be affected, but I'll calculate the differences to see what it does to the geometry. This will only be in the future if she does end up riding more knarly trails and wants the extra room for movement.
Been going between mullet and 29er on my stumpy evo... they both have their pro's and cons. its easier to go fast on the full 29er... but the bike "feels" heavier especially as you tip it in or try push the back end around.
Awesome video. Thanks. I’m considering buying a mullet bike. I appreciate your thoughts & time testing. 👍🏾
Perfect timing looking for a new bike
Glad to help! 🎉
I took the advice from a bike shop and went mullet with my Big Rig. Best decision ever.
If I can ever afford a 29er wheel to put in, then I'll see what it's like, but it's £500+ for a wheel! Mine came with the linkage to be able to swap to full 29er if I want.
For the time being I'm staying mullet though, love it. Medium frame Saracen Ariel 160 and I'm 5'9"ish.
My XC is 29er and I'd never drop the wheel size on that.
I’m still old school 26” adding a mullet bike to the arsenal this year.
Nothing wrong with some old school tech! 🙌
Bring back the 26s
It's easy to find good deals on great 2nd hand 26ers. I have a few, both steel and aluminium. Good wheels (rims and tyres) can still be found. I prefer them since I'm short (5'7" /1.70m) and they accelerate faster which is good for dealing with traffic. I only do (slow) cross country riding so I don't care much for speed or roll over. Don't let 26 inch die!!
@@KarlosEPM It's already died bro... you won't find any new setup on 26". Even spare tires are not available.
Spare tyres are still available. Even Schwalbe makes some. "New setups" are carbon and will therefore die before steel 26ers do.
So I have a 2017 27.5" KTM Lycan 273 which is very much an XC bike from that time period geometry-wise. I am very much over the front wheel to the point where I get a kink in my neck riding over long periods. I was thinking that as an update I may replace the 130 mm Recon front fork with a 29" 140mm Pike. This should slacken the head angle and give me a more upright seated position and perhaps even a slightly better pedaling angle. And of course the large front wheel should get me over the rocky, rooty terrain that New England loves to provide.
never heard of the mullet till now 😅
29 front
27.5 rear
On XC bike. 😁
Those are sick single tracks! Where are they located?
I suppose I'm the opposite in this case I'm 5' 8 and I ride a full 29er hardtail, I live the rollover of the bigger wheel and the stability is immense, I'd definitely call myself a speed freak though, if I want a playful ride I've got a 27.5 tucked away for the fun days 💯🙌🏻
Would only be fair to hit it on a giga mullet to find out what the faster wheel size is
I'm only just getting used to 27.5" after riding 26" forever!
Great guys:)
maybe I'll try 27.5 x 26
MX bike really the best of both worlds!
I thinking of make my 26" bike to 26/27,5 mullet🤔
On the 'Teal' 20" wheel bike, what is the lowest seat the top of the seat will go
Love mx wheeled bikes.
I'd love to do a mullet 27.5/26 on my Ragley piglet! But, I don't think a boost thru-axle 26" rear wheel exists...at least, not one I can afford.
With the skills to make own wheels you could make your own specific wheel. You could combine everything which is not available from stock, including a 26 inch wheel with a through axle
Whatever works for the terrain.
Tube is goated
thinking about converting my current 27.5 to a mullet. Not sure it's possible though.
I guess you only possibly need to change the fork.
It's a little more costly when your bike is already a 27.5. You will need to get yourself a new 29er fork, otherwise the wheel won't have enough clearance. If you were to do this, then bear in mind that your bike will be way slacker. 👍
@@gmbn thanks for the advice guys.
I have a question. Why 27.5 or 29 at all? Why did mtb manufacturers decide on these sizes?
Essentially a 700c and 650b wheel. They already existed before on road bikes. Once you put dirt tires on them they measure out to 29 and 27.5
It is the most logical choice. Motobikes have been like that forever
Looking forward when PR agents re-discover 26". I can tell valuable stories how low weight hard-tail full carbon is nimble and controllable. LOL
Is the frame designed to use both wheels or is 29?? I have a Mullet bike 27.5 front, 26 rear on a Giant 26 frame...
With a 29er frame with disc brakes you should be able to ride smaller wheels. Of course 29er wheels won't fit into a 27,5 or 26 inch frame, and you will lose ground clearance at the bottom bracket
It’s not even noticeable. Another win to the marketing department.
you must really suck if you cant tell the difference.
Having to take two different spare tubes with you is really annoying. On the positive side, you will be an angel sent to other riders with a puncture. No matter what they are riding, you have just what they need. 😉
You don’t have to carry both sizes, a 27.5 will fit a 29 too. I carry a 27.5 even though I’m full 29er because it’s that bit lighter but also smaller to carry as well
A bunch of friends and I went out on a trail ride. On the way down one of us got a pinch flat on both tires.
We managed to get his bike rolling again using mismatched inner tubes.
That moment one uses a tube for a 27.5 inch wheel, and another tube for a 29 inch wheel to fix a 26inch wheel...
I love my specialized status! Comes as a mullet from the factory. I "upgraded" from a full 27.5 and I can say that my new bike just plows through stuff that would rattle me good on my old bike. I haven't noticed much of a loss in playfulness so maybe that's the rear 27.5 showing its advantages.
@topdogpenguin , how is your (techy or steep) uphill pedaling experience in comparison to your old 27.5 bike?
26” ain’t dead
My new bike is a mullet.
Nice! How are you finding it?
I guess super wide is too wide on the go pro
I don't understand, dirt bikes have larger wheels up front and smaller in the rear. It seems that mountain bikes are 20 years behind dirt bikes.
Hi guys, I have a 27.5 bike with a 120 mm of travel and want to upgrade the fork. I got a great deal on a 130mm 29er fork and I don’t want to go mullet, do you think it’s a bad idea?
You can put a 27.5 wheel in a 29 fork it would just raise the bottom bracket and shorten the reach but raise the front end. I would try to get a 130mm 27.5 but if you’ve got a good deal the 29 would work but would look a bit funny with the added space
I've always been curios how GMbN manage so many different sponsors, like Canyon, Orbea, Nukeproof... none of the brands require exclusivity? Or they just don't want to afford the exclusivity? Hahahaha
I rode a mullet for a season. Haven't noticed any pros from this - pedal strokes were a bit more common, the bike looked and felt weird but that was fun anyways
Mullet is long at the back and short at the front ..according to hair world😂
"business in front party in the back"
The whole mullet fad is actually perfect to revive my old 26er hardtail.
That would be cool to make that a mixed wheel size bike! 😂
On a dinosaur bike 29 / 29 is fine. I always go for mullet on my full power emtb. Just so I can get shorter chainstay length.
Didn't you already do this video like twice
Rince and repeat, this channel only appeals to new riders.
Why is your camera man hiding behind a tree? does he think he will end up with a Mullet?
Good spot! 😂
If you're going to go mixed wheels then why stop at 27.5? why not go with a 26 in the rear? maybe that will be the next fad? personally I think 29 front and rear makes the most sense.
I assume it's because they get more ground clearance with the bigger wheels (important with long suspension travel) and at least it's claimed 29ers are rolling faster than smaller wheels
26x3.5" on a 45mm wide rim out back ooooooohhh yeaaahhhh
26 will always be king.
True that.
Had the feeling that I m driving a bus trough the woods. I changed to 27,5 up front.
Personally I think it just looks really dumb. Maybe it's useful if you're quite good at biking, but I am not. Lol
Not a fan of mix! I prefer same wheel size front and back. I can tell the most difference when pedaling.
this is out of context but... how many days did it take for getting a wheelie right(anyone,pls)
I will try it, hook me up pls
Another payed brand advert, wonderful . You lot realise the brands tell them what to say, don't believe a word of any of their reviews...GCN are the same. Here's a topic, talk about canyon and their woeful warranty policy and how many of their frames crack.....a lot.
First
🎬🎉🎬
Oh another mullet video.. it's almost.as.if they've ran out of content to make 🤣